Leah Williamson catches up with Sky Sports reporter Gail Davis for a look back at an incredible 2022 and discuss her goals for the new year. Williamson talks about Christmas rituals. Davina’s Congratulation Message McCall after Euro 2022 success and her ‘pinch me’ moments of the past 12 months
Leah Williamson: England Women’s captain talks Lionesses legacy and goals for 2023
Leah Williamson catches up with Sky Sports reporter Gail Davis for a look back at an incredible 2022 and discuss her goals for the new year. Williamson talks about Christmas rituals. Davina’s Congratulation Message McCall after Euro 2022 success and her ‘pinch me’ moments of the past 12 months
Before I sit down and talk to Leah Williamson to review what was a historic year I reread the notes from the last time we had a long conversation. which is one month away from the euro
A time when she can sip a glass of milk in her British tracksuit and no one cares.
My mother was not interested in sports at all. never heard of her name And I couldn’t imagine calling me the day before the final to tell me what the Lionesses captain had to say about our changing society.
Underline in my journal that day was fun (twice), warm, sincere, but very direct. (That part is in bold.) This is a woman speaking her mind.
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As the England captain walks into a wet, windy pub, After giving up taking photos in front of the Wembley Arch A wide smile was evident. “When the hailstones hit my eyes horizontally I think this might not be the best idea,” she laughs.
Safe interior with restored visibility Self-confessed Christmas superfans seem even more annoyed by the fact that she’s nothing flashy enough to fit in with the impressive backstory put together by my producer Maddie, though she compensates for it with Christmas enthusiasm and wearing a cracker hat
What struck me as we sat in the shadows of Wembley. Just a few months from that incredible day. Namely, while the football landscape in the women’s game undergoes a major shift. England head coach Sarina Wiegman knew it when she handed Williamson the captain’s armband ahead of the Euros, stating, “She’s herself and will always be there.” don’t become anyone else.”
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It says so much about Williamson’s character that when I ask her to “pinch me” in the time of 2022, it’s not lifting the European Cup. But it happened almost two months later. The hustle and bustle of that day at Wembley had quieted down.
“I think going to the north London derby at the Emirates was the moment,” Williamson said without hesitation. “About 54,000 tickets were sold, about 49,000 people in a place that felt like home. And I think this is sustainability. This is something that can really become the norm. So I like that.
“Winning the Euros at the home of English football, Wembley and then having an audience like that. I’m forever grateful I think moments like that I like. what we actually did.”
That was certainly Williamson’s hopes and expectations when we last met. Although she had hardly thought about England’s chances of winning a major title for the first time in 56 years, she knew the team was full of talent. But as an avid English football fan, She watched the men’s team and their “Golden Age” fall short.
“I think how lucky we are to have the years we have.”
It has been done and 17 million people in England tuned in to watch the final over Germany in extra time. The country fell in love with a female lion.
But who sends the best congratulatory messages?
“I received messages from people in the industry. Which means a lot because I respect them,” Williamson added. “So for them to be proud of what we do. I think that’s cute. I think other than that you have someone I didn’t even know you were my boyfriend.
“Davina McCall said to me honestly, Do you know what you’ve done? You know what got me People say thank you, thank you, thank you for the summer. I think this is the fact that Davina said thank you to us, she knows England. You know what we love as a nation. and she was like ‘It’s perfect. It’s what we really want.’”
Williamson’s speech before the biggest race of her career was also quite extraordinary. Mrs. Davis or my mother certainly approved. with eyes fixed on the world She made sure that the final result left a legacy for all women.